Aeoniums, I Think - -

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These are as large as dinner plates, and LARGE!!  I think some may have measured 12 to 24 inches across. Back to the WOW!  (Oh, if I have incorrectly identified, let me know!)

These pots were 3 to 4 foot tall, that may give you some perspective.

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Pride of Maderia

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Coastal California plant which has won my heart.  They are used in flower beds and gardens, and they grow wild along the mountains.  They are bold, and blue/purple.  LOVE!

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The Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas California

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April 5, 2013

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Viewpoint, California, about 4.5 miles north of Hearst Castle.  While on the beach here the seals, molt, rest, fight, breed and give birth.

There are two areas where the seals congregate, one on each side of the parking area here.  This is looking south:

And, this is looking north.

I think I shall refrain from comments, you can think up your own captions.

They toss sand on themselves quite a bit, see it flying?

Huge sand toss.

This guy (gal?) was not happy with another guy (gal?) and was a bit vocal about it.  This is common behavior (per the signage).

The face off:

Our first, but, not our last encounter with seals.  There are at least 3 kinds of seals found up and down the California coast lines.  I am still trying to figure out who is who and where.  Stay tuned.

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The Flora of Hearst Castle

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April 4, 2013 we visited Hearst Castle just north of Morro Bay, California.  I have been blogging about our visit on Reflections, but, had to share some of the beautiful flora here on this blog.

Without further ado:

* By the way, that tall palm, 4th from the bottom, is interesting in that is a climbing rose growing u and about that palm tree.  They told me that the roses have been growing like that on a number of palms for many years.  The roses have grown well over 20 feet up the palms (using my guesses on that 20 feet number.)

Visit the official page of flora at Hearst Castle!  WOW!

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A Blue Beauty, In Need of A Name, NOW HAS ONE!

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This blue beauty found growing in Pismo Beach, California is in need of identification.

Took less than 30 minutes, thank you to friend Linda.

Agapanthus is also commonly known as the Lily of the Nile, African Blue Lily, and African Lily. You can read more about it here and lots of other places on the net!

Agapanthus.




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Bird to Squirrel, "I Got Your Back"

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California Purple, Start Your Identification Engines, Now.

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Have seen several times in California, and have no idea what it is. Being purple tones, it drew me right in, of course.  This particular shot was taken in Bakersfield on March 27, 2013.

*Within 15 minutes, friend Dave came up with lavender, and friend Mina came up with Spanish Lavender.

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Here Kitty Kitty - - OHHHHHH - -

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THAT'S NOT A KITTY!!!

Yep, tis a skunk.  We saw him on a short walk out to the marsh behind the campground this evening.

He (or she) was more afraid of us than we were of him (or her).  Ran faster the opposite direction than we did!




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The Birds, Err Gulls, of Bodega

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Today we drove to Bodega Bay. Bodega Head and a bit on 1 along the Pacific. There were a lot of seagulls, and they seemed to be showing off for Sony Too today.  So, with a bit, well, a lot of zoom, and some good luck (see the dude/ette walking on the hood of the car parked next to us), we did have a bit of a bird, err, gulls sorta day.

Lots o zoom, thanks to Sony Too:

Zoomed to the max, looks like dinner has been found.

Again, much zoom,  these two were screeching at something, non-stop.

Take off with nesting materials in hand, err, beak.

Have car, will walk, less than 5 feet from Sony Too.

I know, these are not those killer birds from the movie that was made near here, but, that is still a lot of critters!

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